Translation guide
The English word "fall" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical dropping to abstract decline. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by the intended meaning, helping you choose the right word for each situation.
Describing something moving from a higher place to a lower place under gravity.
The most common verb for something falling from a height. Intransitive.
Transitive verb meaning to drop something deliberately or accidentally.
Used specifically for precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) falling from the sky.
Formal or technical term for falling, often used in news or scientific contexts.
A part fell from the airplane.
Describing a person losing balance and falling to the ground.
To fall down, trip, or tumble. Commonly used for people.
Describing a reduction in value, amount, temperature, etc.
Intransitive verb for something going down or decreasing. Used for temperature, prices, grades, etc.
Describing a decline in position, reputation, or ethical state.
Can also mean to fall from grace, fail an exam, or be degraded.
Describing when an event takes place, especially a date or holiday.
Used to say that a date falls on a certain day of the week or occasion.
Describing entering a state such as sleep, silence, or love.
Describing something being part of a group or category.
To fall under a category or meet a condition.
Referring to the season between summer and winter.
The standard word for autumn/fall.
落ちる is for objects falling from a height or abstract decline. 転ぶ is for people tripping or falling over. 倒れる is for things or people falling sideways or collapsing.
The vase fell from the shelf.
The leaves are falling.
I dropped my smartphone.
Rain is falling.
It will probably snow tomorrow.
I tripped on a stone and fell.
Children often fall down.
To fall over, collapse, or be knocked down. Can be used for people or objects.
The bookshelf fell over in the earthquake.
He collapsed from exhaustion.
Onomatopoeic adverb for slipping and falling comically or suddenly. Casual.
I slipped on a banana peel and fell flat.
The temperature fell.
I'm happy when prices fall.
Transitive verb meaning to lower or reduce something.
The store lowered the prices.
Formal term for decrease or decline, often used in statistics or reports.
The population is falling.
To fall sharply or slump, often used for economic indicators or mood.
Sales fell sharply.
I failed the exam.
He fell from power.
To fall (morally or socially), often implying a steep decline.
He fell into a life of crime.
To be ruined or fall into decay, often used for families or empires.
The family fell into ruin.
Christmas falls on a Saturday this year.
A simpler way to express that an event falls on a certain date.
New Year's Day falls on a Monday this year.
She fell in love.
A more formal or literary way to express becoming a state, often used with silence or ruin.
Silence fell over the hall.
This case falls under the exception.
A more casual way to say something falls into a category.
This book falls into the bestseller category.
秋は紅葉が美しい。
In fall, the autumn leaves are beautiful.
The child fell down and cried.
The tree fell over in the wind.
Saying 人が落ちた usually means a person fell from a height (like a cliff or building). For tripping or slipping on the ground, use 転ぶ.
I fell on the street.
He fell off the ladder.